18 & Under Sellersville Belles Gold

Yes, the Sellersville Belles have written a new chapter in Sellersville Belles lore in that Sunday July 2nd, 2006, they earned a bid to ASA Nationals in Owensboro, KY!! After finishing tied for 5th at ASA States, the Belles came into the J. Richard Millhouse ASA National Qualifier looking for a much coveted bid to nationals. The locals went 2-0 in pool play dismissing the Fillies Fastpitch 3-0 and then beat Odyssey 4-1. Then started doouble elimination play where the Belles faced the Southampton Blazers. The Belles had beaten the Blazers earlier in the year 2-0, but this out come would be different as the Belles rolled 7-0. Then in their 4th game of the day, the Belles took on the Spring Ford Sting. The Belles again emerged victorious with a 3-2 win. Saturday morning saw the Belles and the state champion East Norriton Heartbreakers matched up in the winners bracket final. The Belles fought, scratched, and clawed their way into the 8th inning and the third inning of international tie breaking format due to a 0-0 tie. Unfortunately a throwing error allowed the Heartbreakers to score in the bottom of the 8th and sent the Belles to the losers bracket final. The Belles fought with the Harleysville Thunderbirds 7 innings on their way to a 2-0 victory. This win over the Thunderbirds set up another clash between the Belles and the Heartbreakers. Unfortunately, fatigue played a key role in the final as some misques on the part of the Belles lead to runs for the Heartbreakers; as the Heartbreakers walked away with a 7-3 win and a second tournament championship in as many weeks. But as head coach Paul Koehler said after handing out the runner-up throphies to his team, "Today, the beautiful thing about losing in the final game is that we still win a BID TO ASA Nationals!!" So congratulations and good luck to the Sellersville Belles - the FIRST team in Belles History to go to ASA Nationals.